Harvester crop delivery system

ABSTRACT

A crop delivery system for a harvester including a vessel positioned in a harvester for securing a crop therein. A first tube has a first angled orientation and configured to receive the crop from the vessel. A second tube has a second angled orientation. A transition area is positioned between the first tube and the second tube. A continuous belt extends from the first tube to the second tube. A portion of the belt carrying the crop between the first tube and the second tube is structurally supported and substantially covered by the first tube, the second tube and the transition area. The transition area includes a roller positioned substantially transverse to the first tube and the second tube and in contact with the belt, the roller forming a substantially flat bend area in the belt for transitioning the belt from the first angled orientation to the second angled orientation.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to agricultural harvestingequipment and, more particularly, to a crop delivery system foragricultural harvesting equipment, such as a combine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Grain tanks of combines commonly have an associated unloader conveyoroperable for conveying grain from the grain tank to another locationsuch as to a grain truck or wagon. An unloader conveyor typicallyincludes an elongate, enclosed tubular housing containing a helicalauger and is oriented horizontally or at a small acute angle tohorizontal. The unloader conveyor is typically pivotally supported incantilever relation by a lower end of an upstanding or vertical lowerunloader conveyor section including an inlet opening disposed in oradjacent to the grain tank. The unloader conveyor is typically pivotablebetween a stored position extending along the combine, and a sidewardlyextending unloading position. The unloader can be of any length, butwill typically have a length sufficient to extend just beyond the end ofa header of the combine. Grain tanks additionally typically include atleast one grain tank conveyor including an auger adjacent to the bottomof the grain tank and extending into the inlet opening of the lowerunloader conveyor for conveying grain into the unloader.

Conventional unloader conveyor housings typically extend linearly fromthe combine, providing little clearance between the unloader conveyorand the grain truck or wagon, increasing the opportunity for contact anddamage to the unloader conveyor. Additionally, use of an augerassociated with an unloader conveyor often results in both vibrationduring operation of the unloader conveyor, as well as sliding and mixingof the crop or grain along the auger surface, possibly resulting indamage to the crop or grain and requiring increased power to convey thecrop or grain along the unloader conveyor.

Thus, there is a need and a desire for a crop delivery system thatprovides additional clearance between the harvester and to the receivingcrop or grain truck or wagon, while reducing vibration and theopportunity for crop or grain damage during delivery thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following more detailed description of an exemplary embodiment,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, byway of example, the principles of the invention.

The present invention relates to a crop delivery system for a harvesterincluding a vessel positioned in a harvester for securing a croptherein. A first tube has a first angled orientation, a first end and anopposed second end. The first tube is connected to the harvester andconfigured to receive the crop from the vessel at the first end. Asecond tube has a second angled orientation, a third end, and an opposedfourth end. The second end of the first tube and the third end of thesecond tube are connected by a transition area. The crop received fromthe first end of the first tube is to be delivered to the fourth end ofthe second tube. A continuous belt has a receiving region in closeproximity to the first end of the first tube and a delivery region inclose proximity of the fourth end of the second tube. A portion of thebelt carrying the crop between the first end of the first tube and thefourth end of the second tube is structurally supported by andsubstantially covered by the first tube, the second tube and thetransition area. The transition area includes a roller positionedsubstantially transverse to the first tube and the second tube and incontact with the belt. The roller forms a substantially flat bend areain the belt for transitioning the belt from the first angled orientationto the second angled orientation.

The present invention further relates to a harvester including a frameand a vessel supported by the frame. The vessel is positioned in aharvester for securing a crop therein. A first tube has a first angledorientation, a first end and an opposed second end. The first tube issecured to the harvester and configured to receive the crop from thevessel at the first end. A second tube has a second angled orientation,a third end, and an opposed fourth end. The second end of the first tubeand the third end of the second tube is connected by a transition area.The second tube is configured to deliver the crop received from thefirst tube at the fourth end. A continuous belt has a receiving regionin close proximity to the first end of the first tube and a deliveryregion in close proximity of the fourth end of the second tube. Aportion of the belt carrying the crop between the first end of the firsttube and the fourth end of the second tube is structurally supported byand substantially covered by the first tube, the second tube and thetransition area. The transition area includes a roller positionedsubstantially transverse to the first tube and the second tube and incontact with the belt. The roller forms a substantially flat bend areain the belt for transitioning the belt from the first angled orientationto the second angled orientation.

Numerous other features and advantages of the present invention willbecome readily apparent from the following detailed description, theaccompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial elevation view of a crop delivery system of a workvehicle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view taken along region 2 from FIG. 1 of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a cross section taken along line 3-3 from FIG. 2 of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a view taken along lines 4-4 from FIG. 3 of the presentinvention.

Numerous other features and advantages of the present invention willbecome readily apparent from the following detailed description, theaccompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in variousforms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be describeda preferred embodiment of the present invention with the understandingthat the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification ofthe invention that is not intended to limit the invention to thespecific embodiment illustrated.

Referring now to the drawings, an exemplary embodiment of a cropdelivery system 10 of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 1. Cropdelivery system 10 is configured to receive a harvested crop, such as agrain from a lower portion 14 of a vessel 12, also referred to as agrain bin. Grain bin or vessel 12, is supported by a frame 16 of aself-propelled agricultural combine 11, such as disclosed in Applicant'sU.S. Pat. No. 7,452,180 titled Grain Tank Unloader And Clean OutControl, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

As further shown in FIGS. 1-4, crop delivery system 10 includes a firsttube 18 having a first end 22 and a second end 24. First tube 18 isconnected to a harvester 11, such as an agricultural combine, such as apivotable connection permitting rotational movement 68 about an axis 70either toward or away from harvester 11 in a well-known manner. Firsttube 18 has a first angled orientation 20, such as with respect to ahorizontal plane 50. First angled orientation 20 can be up to about 30degrees from horizontal plane 50, such as an angled orientation that isdirected upwardly, since an upwardly directed angle exceeding about 30degrees typically results in the crop tumbling downwardly along firsttube 18, i.e., in a direction opposite to that desired. Crop deliverysystem 10 includes a second tube 26 having a third end 28 and a fourthend 30, with second tube 26 positioned at a second angled orientation27. In an exemplary embodiment, second angled orientation 27 can be upto about 10 degrees from a horizontal plane 50. In another embodiment,second angled orientation 27 can be greater than 10 degrees. As shown,in close proximity to fourth end 30 of second tube 26, a spout 52 may bepositioned to help direct harvested crops 56 downwardly into acollection device (not shown).

A transition area 32 is positioned between second end 24 of first tube18 and third end 28 of second tube 26 in order to transition between thecorresponding angled orientations of a belt 34, as the belt is urgedinto driven movement from first tube 18 to second tube 26. A flexible,continuous belt 34 has a receiving region 36 that is in close proximityto first end 22 of first tube 18, which belt 34 extending to a deliveryregion 38 in close proximity of fourth end 30 of second tube 26.Receiving region 36 of belt 34 receives a harvested crop, such as agrain, from a lower portion 14 of a vessel 12 of harvester 11, with theharvested crop received from first end 22 of first tube 18 to bedelivered through transition area 32 to the fourth end 30 of second tube26. Belt 34 is urged into driven movement such as by a motor (not shown)or other known arrangement between a primary roller 64 positioned inclose proximity to first end 22 of first tube 18 and a primary roller 66positioned in close proximity to fourth end 30 of second tube 26.

As shown in FIGS. 3-4, belt 34 is structurally supported (i.e., slidablysupported or carried) along respective inside surfaces 60 of first tube18 and second tube 26. In an exemplary embodiment, tubes 18, 26 aresubstantially cylindrical, although in other embodiments, the tubes maydefine a different profile. Although first tube 18 is shown having alength and a first angled orientation 20 greater than the length ofsecond tube 26 and of a second angled orientation 27, the presentdisclosure is not so limited, so long as crops are delivered from thevessel of the harvester to the intended collection machinery or device.As further shown in FIG. 3, a majority of surface 72 of belt 34positioned between opposed edges or ends 58 of belt 34 is in contactwith a crop 56 as the crop is carried through the tubes 18, 26. Surface74 of belt 34 between opposed ends 58 of the belt, which surface 74 ofthe belt is opposite of surface 72, is slidably supported or carriedalong respective inner surfaces 60 of first tube 18, second tube 26.Stated another way, surface 74 of belt 34 between opposed ends 58 of thebelt extends along a slidable contact region 62. In one embodiment, thecoefficient of friction between surface 74 and the inner surfaces 60 ofthe tubes is less than the coefficient of friction between surface 72and the crop. In another embodiment, slidable contact region 62 that isformed between surface 74 of belt 34 and respective inner surfaces 60 offirst tube 18 and second tube 26, contacts up to about one half of theinner surfaces 60 of the tubes 18, 26. For example, if the insidediameter of tubes 18, 26 are 10 inches, belt 34 would measureapproximately 15 inches between opposed ends 58. Similarly, if theinside diameter of tubes 18, 26 are 12 inches, belt 34 would measureapproximately 18 inches between opposed ends 58. In one embodiment,first tube 18 and second tube 26 are sized to be substantially similar.However in another embodiment, first tube 18 second tube 26 may be sizeddifferently from each other.

As further shown in FIGS. 2-4, transition area 32 is positioned betweensecond end 24 of first tube 18 and third end 28 of second tube 20.Transition area 32 includes a supporting region 76 having a gradualprofile change that is positioned beneath belt 34. To assist withunderstanding of the disclosure, the width of belt 34 (the distancebetween opposed ends 58) is substantially the same along thelongitudinal length of belt 34. It is apparent to one having ordinaryskill in the art that the increased spacing between opposed ends 58 ofbelt 34 in transition area 32, as shown in FIG. 4, is due to the gradualchanging of the profile of supporting region 76 (FIG. 3). That is, asshown in FIG. 4, proceeding in a direction along axis 19 from second end24 of first tube 18 toward a surface 47 of a substantially cylindricalroller 40 having a substantially transverse axis 42, the shape orprofile defined by a plane parallel to transverse axis 42 andperpendicular to longitudinal axis 19 of first tube 18 cutting throughsupporting region 76 defines an increasingly flattening surfacesupporting belt 34. This change in profile is evidenced, and shown inFIG. 4, by the apparent increase in width between ends 58 of belt 34,which belt having a substantially constant width, with the apparentincrease in belt width identified as a transition profile 44 of belt 34.In other words, as belt 34 proceeds along axis 19 toward surface 47 ofsubstantially cylindrical roller 40 having substantially transverse axis42, supporting region 76 gradually transitions from a substantiallycircular cross section (similar to FIG. 4), such as at second end 24 offirst tube 18, to a substantially flat bend area 48 along surface 47 ofsubstantially cylindrical roller 40 having substantially transverse axis42. Substantially cylindrical surface 47 of substantially transverseaxis 42 extends through a slot 46 formed through supporting surface 76of transition area 32, forming substantially flat bend area 48 in belt34. Substantially flat bend area 48 forms the basis for the transitionof belt 34 between first angled orientation 20 and second angularorientation 27. For similar reasons discussed above, the profile of aportion of supporting surface 76 extending from third end 28 of secondtube 26 toward surface 47 of substantially cylindrical roller 40 havingsubstantially transverse axis 42 is virtually identical to the profileof another portion of supporting surface extending from second end 24 offirst tube 18 toward surface 47 of substantially cylindrical roller 40having substantially transverse axis 42. In another embodiment, theprofile a portion of supporting surface 76 extending from third end 28of second tube 26 toward surface 47 of substantially cylindrical roller40 having substantially transverse axis 42 may be different from theprofile of another portion of supporting surface extending from secondend 24 of first tube 18 toward surface 47 of substantially cylindricalroller 40 having substantially transverse axis 42.

Once belt 34 has dispensed crop material from delivery region 38 inclose proximity to fourth end 30 of second tube 26, the belt passesbeneath the tubes 18, 26 toward receiving region 36 in close proximityto first end 22 of first tube 18. As shown in FIGS. 1-2, secondaryrollers 54 located beneath transition area 32 maintain proper tensioningin the belt by establishing substantially flat bend areas 49 due tocontact between rollers 54 and bend areas 49, as well as limitingdownward deflection of the portion of the belt positioned beneath thetubes and extending between delivery region 38 in close proximity tofourth end 30 of second tube 26 and first end 22 of first tube 18. Inanother embodiment, rollers 54 may be positioned beneath one or more offirst tube 18, second tube 26 and/or transition area 32.

By virtue of substantially flat bend area 48 in transition area 32, thechange in angled orientations 20, 27 defined by respective tubes 18, 26provides multiple benefits. First, by permitting the lowering ofreceiving region 36 of belt 34 sufficiently beneath lower portion 14 ofvessel 12 of harvester 11, an “in tank elevator” or vertical conveyingequipment, typically involving augers, as well as the associated driveunits, can be removed, reducing costs associated with these components,and increasing the usable volume of the vessel, due to the removal ofsuch vertical conveying equipment. Second, grain damage is lessened byuse of a continuous belt, compared to conventional auger grain conveyingsystems. Third, operation of a continuous belt provides a significantreduction in vibration over conventional augered conveying systems,resulting in noise reduction, as well as extended service life ofassociated components. Fourth, by virtue of the significant differencesthat may be used between angular orientations associated with respectivetubes, crops can be effectively raised, by utilizing an increased firstangled orientation 20 associated with a first tube, from a lower initialposition of the harvester (i.e., from beneath lower portion 14 of vessel12, versus an upper portion of the vessel in conventional harvesterconstructions) to provide sufficient vertical clearance of cropcollection machinery, such as wagons or trucks, with a differing (andtypically reduced) second angular orientation 27 of the second tube 26,reducing the opportunity of damage between the crop collection machineryand the harvester.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferredembodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situationor to the teachings of the invention without departing from theessential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the inventionnot be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best modecontemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the inventionwill include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appendedclaims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A crop delivery system for a harvester,comprising: a vessel positioned in a harvester for securing a croptherein; a first tube having a first angled orientation, a first end andan opposed second end, the first tube connected to the harvester andconfigured to receive the crop from the vessel at the first end; asecond tube having a second angled orientation, a third end, and anopposed fourth end, the second end of the first tube and the third endof the second tube connected by a transition area, the crop receivedfrom the first end of the first tube to be delivered to the fourth endof the second tube; a continuous belt having a receiving region in closeproximity to the first end of the first tube and a delivery region inclose proximity of the fourth end of the second tube, a portion of thebelt carrying the crop between the first end of the first tube and thefourth end of the second tube being structurally supported by andsubstantially covered by the first tube, the second tube and thetransition area; and wherein the transition area includes a rollerpositioned substantially transverse to the first tube and the secondtube and in contact with the belt, the roller forming a substantiallyflat bend area in the belt for transitioning the belt from the firstangled orientation to the second angled orientation.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the first tube is pivotably connected to the harvester.3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first tube is up to about 30degrees from a horizontal plane.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein thesecond tube is up to about 10 degrees from a horizontal plane.
 5. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the transition area includes a slot toreceive the roller therethrough from beneath the transition area.
 6. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein a spout is positioned at the fourth end ofthe second tube.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the crop is removedfrom a lower portion of the vessel.
 8. The system of claim 1, whereinthe harvester is an agricultural combine.
 9. The system of claim 1,wherein the first tube and the second tube are substantiallycylindrical.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the belt extendstransversely between the first end of the first tube and the fourth endof the second tube, the belt in slidable contact with up to about onehalf of the inner surface of the first tube and the second tube.
 11. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein at least one secondary roller is positionedtransversely with respect to the first tube and the second tube beneaththe transition area.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the beltforming a substantially flat profile when contacting the at least onesecondary roller.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein a primary roller istransversely positioned in close proximity to the first end of the firsttube and to the fourth end of the second tube.
 14. The system of claim13, wherein the belt forming a substantially flat profile and contactingthe primary roller.
 15. The system of claim 1, wherein at least onesecondary roller is positioned transversely with respect to the firsttube and the second tube beneath the transition area.
 16. A harvestercomprising: a frame; a vessel supported by the frame, the vesselpositioned in a harvester for securing a crop therein; a first tubehaving a first angled orientation, a first end and an opposed secondend, the first tube secured to the harvester and configured to receivethe crop from the vessel at the first end; a second tube having a secondangled orientation, a third end, and an opposed fourth end, the secondend of the first tube and the third end of the second tube connected bya transition area, the second tube configured to deliver the cropreceived from the first tube at the fourth end; a continuous belt havinga receiving region in close proximity to the first end of the first tubeand a delivery region in close proximity of the fourth end of the secondtube, a portion of the belt carrying the crop between the first end ofthe first tube and the fourth end of the second tube being structurallysupported by and substantially covered by the first tube, the secondtube and the transition area; wherein the transition area includes aroller positioned substantially transverse to the first tube and thesecond tube and in contact with the belt, the roller forming asubstantially flat bend area in the belt for transitioning the belt fromthe first angled orientation to the second angled orientation.
 17. Theharvester of claim 16, wherein the transition area includes a slot toreceive the roller therethrough from beneath the transition area. 18.The harvester of claim 16, wherein the crop is removed from a lowerportion of the vessel.
 19. The harvester of claim 16, wherein theharvester is an agricultural combine.
 20. The system of claim 16,wherein the belt extends transversely between the first end of the firsttube and the fourth end of the second tube, the belt in slidable contactwith up to about one half of the inner surface of the first tube and thesecond tube.